Milwaukee church facing $200K in damages after HVAC systems vandalized
Leaders at Sweet Communion Baptist Church say it's the 3rd time in 5 years
Leaders at Sweet Communion Baptist Church say it's the 3rd time in 5 years
Leaders at Sweet Communion Baptist Church say it's the 3rd time in 5 years
Vandals have broken into the HVAC systems at Sweet Communion Baptist Church in Milwaukee for the third time in five years.
The church, near 35th Street and Vienna Avenue, has its heating and cooling systems on the roof. According to church leaders, people will break the systems open to steal the copper wire inside and sell it.
Deacon Lawrence Thomas took a WISN 12 News crew onto the church's roof to survey the damage.
"There is aluminum with copper lines running through it. So they will take that to the scrap yard, and for that one right there, they will probably get 15 to 20 bucks for it," Thomas said.
It is quick cash for the thieves but, according to the pastor, a $200,000 financial blow for the church.
"It's very, very frustrating because of that process and because it's happened more than once," Pastor Brian Kenner said. "And because we no longer have insurance that covers that kind of damage, and so that's financially devastating to a church of our size."
Church leaders said it happened about three weeks ago, on Nov. 22.
Surveillance video obtained by WISN 12 News shows two people using a ladder to climb onto the church's roof that morning. They then turned the church's surveillance camera away to face the wall just before the theft.
"(We need) lots of prayer because we don't know how we're going to figure it out. We don't know where the money is going to come from," said Thomas.
According to Thomas, three of the HVAC units are partially operational right now - giving the church some heat throughout the winter.
However, Thomas said that is just a temporary fix, and he fears the units could break down any day now.
Kenner said he believes this has reaffirmed the community's need for ministry and there are no plans to relocate the church.
"Not at all," Kenner said. "It lets us know we're in the place where this ministry is needed, and we're just committed to doing that."
Church leaders said Milwaukee police came out to the church to take pictures of the damage and take a report. Milwaukee police confirmed with WISN 12 News that they are investigating.
Sweet Communion Baptist Church can be contacted through its website.